FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 48 1 



and unfurled amid enthusiastic cheers. The assemblage then gathered around the 

 monument which commemorated the deed of gift, and while the large audience sang 

 strong and tunefully the national hymn, " America," the stone was unveiled by two 

 old men, Leander and F'rank Thompson, whose two brothers were killed while fighting 

 under John Brown at the railroad bridge at Harper's Ferry. This ceremony having 

 concluded, the throng moved to the house, on the opposite side of the grave, where 

 the further exercises were held. 



The meeting was called to order by General Edwin A. Merritt, of Potsdam, N. Y., 

 the President of the Day. On the platform were seated Hon. Charles H. Babcock, 

 Hendrick S. Holden, William R. Weed, and Edward Thompson, of the Forest Com- 

 mission ; Hon. William J. Morgan, Deputy State Comptroller; Hon. Ashley W. Cole, 

 Private Secretary of Governor Morton; Hon. Henry H. Lyman, State Excise Com- 

 missioner ; Hons. Thomas H. WagstafT, Taylor J. Eldredge, Jotham P. Allds, John B. 

 Fitzgerald, William W. Armstrong and Philip W. Reinhard, Jr., members of the 

 State Legislature. Scattered through the large audience were prominent men from 

 various parts of the Union, all in accord with the spirit of the occasion. 



After a solemn invocation by the Rev. Dr. Brinkhurst, of Chicago, General Merritt 

 made an introductory address, during which, as representative of the donors, he for- 

 mally tendered the property to the care of the State authorities present. 



The following letter from Mr. Henry Clews, of New York, was read : 



Banking House of Henry Clews & Co. ( 

 New York, July 14, 1896. j 



Commissioners of Forests, Albany, N. Y. 



GentkiHcii : — I have your favor of the 13th inst., and in reply beg to say that the 

 deed of the John Brown Farm stood in my name for about twenty-five years. The 

 property was purchased in 1870 by a number of gentlemen who contributed the 

 necessary funds thereto. It was purchased with a view of perpetuating the memory 

 of John Brown. The property was turned over to me as trustee. 



The only persons now living beside myself are: Charles Stewart Smith, ex-President 

 of the Chamber of Commerce ; Le Grand B. Cannon, of Burlington, Vt. ; Hon. Thomas 

 Murphy, former Collector of the Port of New York; Hon. Salem H. Wales, Isaac H. 

 Bailey, and George Cabot Ward, former agent for Baring Brothers, of London. 



I regret exceedingly that I cannot be present on the occasion of the unfurling of_ 

 the flag over the grave of John Brown. I will convey your invitation to some of my 

 associates, and hope that one of them, at least, will be able to attend the ceremony. 



Very truly yours, 



Henry Clews. 



Col. Ashley W. Cole, who was present as the representative of Governor Levi P. 

 Morton, then accepted the property on the part of the State of New York. In brief, 

 well chosen words, he thanked the Association for its gift, and pledged the State to the 

 fulfillment of its aims and purposes. 

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